Duck Dynasty controversy raises questions about free speech

Sunday

Dec 29, 2013 at 6:00 AMDec 29, 2013 at 8:07 AM

By James F. Russell CORRESPONDENT

With disdain, persecution and violence directed against homosexuals still commonplace worldwide despite social and legal gains achieved in parts of the United States and western Europe, Christians opposed to the normalization of gay lifestyles say their ability to speak freely on the issue is under attack.

They say expressing their beliefs about homosexuality subjects them to ridicule and retribution.

They point to the recent plight of reality television star Phil Robertson of the popular "Duck Dynasty" show on the A&E cable channel.

Mr. Robertson was "indefinitely" banished from the network on Dec. 18 related to statements he made in a magazine interview about homosexuality. But he was welcomed back to the network less than 10 days later, after hundreds of thousands of Duck Dynasty fans protested the A&E action.

Controversy erupted around the Duck Dynasty patriarch after GQ Magazine published an interview in which Mr. Robertson shared his views on homosexuality — statements the cable network and activists around the country condemned.

"Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around ... Don't be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers — they won't inherit the kingdom of God. Don't deceive yourself. It's not right," Mr. Robertson said in the GQ interview.

He also said: "We never, ever judge someone on who's going to heaven, hell. That's the Almighty's job. We just love 'em, give 'em the good news about Jesus — whether they're homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort 'em out later, you see what I'm saying?"

Locally, the social division involving homosexuality is mirrored in the leadership of various Christian denominations.

"Until the pope says gay people are created beautifully in the image of God, he is a part of the continued oppression of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community around the world," the Rev. Judith Hanlon, pastor at Hadwen Park Congregational Church, United Church of Christ said in an interview Thursday.

"Suicide with gay kids is eight times more likely. If you think God hates you, why the hell would you want to stay alive? All that bull is killing kids. I just don't take prisoners on that one," she said. "Seventy percent of our church are ex-Catholics and ex-fundamentalists. The fundamentalism, as far as I am concerned, is the problem."

Rev. Hanlon said the idea that Christians are subject to social sanction for their views opposing homosexuality is based on a false conception of the teachings of Jesus.

Asked about Mr. Robertson's views, the pastor said: "The eight texts in the Bible are referring to amoral sexual behavior, not to sexual orientation. I believe what is in the Bible is about bad sex behavior; there is no mention of sexual orientation. Jesus had nothing to say about homosexuality. I think what is good for him (Mr. Robertson) is not good for the rest of the world."

Mr. Gillmeister of Brookfield is a Sunday School teacher and serves on the Tantasqua Regional School Committee. He describes himself as a follower of Jesus Christ as set forth in the Holy Bible — both the Old and New Testaments, and considers himself non-denominational, though aligned most closely with the Southern Baptist Convention. Mr. Gillmeister attends a Southern Baptist church.

The Sunday School teacher said he has felt backlash speaking out about homosexuality and that children suffer as well.

"I believe that Christians are under pressure to restrict their free expression on a whole host of issues including homosexuality," Mr. Gillmeister said.

"Take evolution, for example. Kids in school are taught the theory of evolution as though it were true, despite the lack of supporting scientific evidence. Christian youth are fearful to challenge this teaching in favor of the Genesis story of creation, for fear of a bad grade or embarrassment."

He said the suspension of the "Duck Dynasty" star sends the "message that if you're a Christian and you want to speak out against homosexuality, expect to become a target for chastisement and retribution. I think that's wrong."

J'aime Pendragon, 31, grew up in Holden and now resides in Southbridge. She is in a same sex marriage. Ms. Pendragon and her spouse wed in 2007 after the state legalized gay marriage.

She supports Mr. Robertson's right to share his views and also thinks the television actor talked out of both sides of his mouth in the GQ piece.

"That is very typical of rigid Christians. Nobody can judge anybody but God, but you just judged me," she said, referring to Mr. Robertson. "I think it's important to note this guy has every right to say what he has to say, whether you agree with it or not."

The Bishop for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester, Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, 62, said the complete picture of the Catholic Church's posture against homosexuality is nuanced and not generally understood.

In a Friday interview, he said anyone discussing Scripture has a duty to know what they are talking about.

"Free speech demands that what you say is accurate. There is a correct way of presenting the Gospels, the teachings of Christ," the bishop said. "People who speak in the name of the Christian tradition should know that what they are talking about truly reflects the teachings of the church. A Christian is not free to say anything he or she wants that distorts it."

Part of the misunderstanding of the Catholic position on homosexuality stems from ignorance or non-acceptance of "objective morality," Bishop McManus said.

"When the church says homosexuality is objectively wrong, the reaction is 'who are you to say that?' The point is, when people in our society make an appeal to objective morality, (others) say that is authoritarian; that 'you are imposing your authoritarianism.' It is not. It is working out a world view where there is objective truth (but that is deemed) to be judgmental or discriminatory," he said.

He said the debate on homosexuality is dominated by a mass media paradigm that defines morality at the individual, subjective level.

"The problem is they don't understand ... Moral relativism is the philosophical (belief) there is no right or wrong, and is personally decided on ... Our society does not understand, intellectually, objective truth. The church's moral teaching is rooted in objective morality."

After becoming president of Assumption College in 2008, Francesco Cesareo wrote an essay published in the New England Journal of Higher Education that discussed aspects of homosexuality on a Catholic campus.

"Regarding homosexuality, all men and women are created in the image of God and thus deserve respect because of the basic human dignity we all share ... This does not mean that we endorse or advocate this lifestyle or behavior," Mr. Cesareo wrote.

"Gay student organizations must operate within the parameters of church teachings by not sponsoring any activities that promote a homosexual lifestyle or same-sex marriage as legitimate lifestyles ... If this is uncomfortable, a Catholic institution may not be appropriate for these individuals. Catholic institutions must never apologize for being Catholic or for being genuinely committed to the church and its teachings."

Laura Farnsworth is program director at The Bridge of Central Mass and Director of Safe Homes for Worcester PFLAG, a support group for parents and friends of gay, lesbian and transgender people.

In an interview Thursday she said that too many Christians remain oblivious to the harm they cause to people whose sexual orientation is different from theirs.

"I am a lover of freedom of speech. But by these people saying they don't agree with someone's lifestyle ... of being gay or lesbian, I find that so offensive. Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, it is your identity. To say 'I disagree with someone's lifestyle' is saying: 'I disagree with someone being on the planet.' It is offensive and dangerous. I think Christ would be outraged to know Christians would be using his name to discriminate against homosexuality."

The gay rights advocate said: "I can understand people questioning it, saying whatever they want. Hitler was able to say what he wanted about the Jews and eventually the whole nation bought into it. If these Christians would just start obeying the Ten Commandments, which is all God is asking them to do, we would be a much better world. Love your neighbor as yourself. And in fact you are your brother's keeper. And perhaps God made LGBTQ people exactly the way they are supposed to be."